The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest (ASNF) is looking for volunteers to help relocate and record archaeological sites. The ASNF is located in east-central Arizona sitting above the Mogollon Rim. This area of Arizona played an important part in the story of the Southwest and continues to do so today. As technology improves, archaeologists on the ASNF are noticing that our data are no longer viable, and we need PIT volunteers to help us remedy that situation! Not only will you be helping us to create better data but you’ll also help us to add to the story of the Mogollon Rim.

Our project will include hiking over hilly terrain, up to 5 miles a day, at roughly 6,800 feet (asl). We will be looking for archaeological sites that have been previously recorded, but that do not have good locational information. Once we find a site we will photograph, describe, map the area with accurate GPS equipment, and document any artifacts. If we are lucky, we might even find sites that have never been recorded! So, please join us this fall for another “hike into the past!”

Number of openings:10

Special skills:Must be physically capable of hiking up to 4-5 miles a day, in hilly terrain, and in a variety of weather conditions; previous archaeological survey, mapping, GPS, site documentation, and/or artifact (particularly Mogollon/Late Archaic) identification, a plus but not required

Minimum age:14 years old, under 18 with a responsible adult

Facilities:Tent or RV camping at no charge at Lewis Canyon Campground, just south of the community of Pinedale, in a ponderosa pine forest; pit toilets; no potable water; no RV hook-ups; Show Low and Pine-top-Lakeside are both full-service communities, with hotels/motels, restaurants, grocery stores, and a full range of other amenities; volunteers responsible for own lodging/camping equipment, meals, water, and daily transportation to designated meeting area